EXCLUSIVE | Q&A with Richard Thewlis

After the announcement of the Super League changes, which the Giants wholeheartedly welcome, and the announcement of Ralph Rimmer OBE joining the club, Managing Director Richard Thewlis answers some questions!

1. The Giants voted in favour of 14 teams in Super League next year, what was your reasoning for this?

RT: "It’s beneficial to the competition firstly, you hope that representatives who attend on behalf of their clubs vote in the best interests of the game and that’s what we did in essence. The group tasked with the presentation on the day made their recommendation after weeks of research and deliberations with all stakeholders and it was one which the vast majority agreed with and thus it went through. There would to me seem little point in having asked as clubs for changes in the game to then go against the recommendations. There does remain detail to work through which I’m confident will be done in timely fashion and will put more meat on the bones of what I believe to be the starting point of a very bright future for the game and in some respects a new era. We look forward to supporting the new vision and pushing the game forwards.

2. Everything is still up in the air regarding The Shay, a new site for a new stadium & where we will be playing next year, can you give an update on that?

RT: That’s your phrase and opinion which I respect but work does go on behind closed doors on a daily basis and for now that’s where it stays. No decisions have yet been made and those involved at the sharp end realise the complexities and the wish for clarity but there are still things yet to be determined. Once we do have an update, the club will announce it across our website and social media channels and of course we’ve strengthened our hand to coin a phrase by bring Ralph Rimmer on board for a period to help.

3. The newly named Accu Stadium has had an internal refurb, how much of an added experience to hospitality and sponsors does this give for the remainder of the season?

RT: It looks outstandingly good to me and every day it moves forward with the soccer season about to start. After showing guests some of the new look hospitality areas against Wakefield the feedback was naturally positive. Once completed we will look to harness the improvements into our offerings as we look to add to the experience on match days.

4. The Academy and Scholars have had great seasons and you’ve been up to support them throughout the season, the future really is bright isn’t it?

RT: Yes there have been some great evenings at Laund Hill which really is a superb facility and no where better on a sunny summer evening. The 4G pitch seems to have been well received by both home and away clubs with one in particular being incredibly jealous of what we firstly have there and secondly what we will have when the training centre is completed. The younger players themselves are getting good reports from the coaches who are confident that we have talent coming through. I think everyone likes to see local youngsters giving their all to become professional players and whilst at that level its about the development of individuals it does help of course when you win which we’ve done plenty of.

5. We have slashed prices for the Catalans game, how important is the town of Huddersfield’s support for that fixture?

RT: We want a win it’s as simple as that and the crowd certainly helps the players on the field. Look at Dewsbury for the example there when although we missed out marginally, you could see that the atmosphere significantly lifted the players and we urge fans to take up the ticketing offer and get down to support. It really is important and hopefully the price reductions will help encourage as of course will the win last time out in Hull.

6. The works at Laund Hill have begun, how much of a coup will a state of the art performance facility be for the club?

RT: Work is ongoing, and we thank those who are involved for the brilliant start that they have made. There is so much that goes into these things and so many that help make these things possible. For example without the kind assistance of Shaun Meehan at Rogers Geotechnical Services we certainly would not be as advanced as we now are and I’d ask anyone who feels that can assist and bring value as Shaun undoubtably did to get in contact. This won’t just have an effect on the first team, but the Youth, Women’s and wider community too which can only be a positive for the future . We will genuinely have a world class facility to enable all to perform to their maximum. Laund Hill is for mine the most exciting project that the game as a whole has ongoing at the moment in terms of facility.